Question

Sulh-i-Kul is an Akbar's policy which means _
A) Peace with all
B) No peace
C) Aurangazeb
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar created a social and religious toleration, emphasized on harmony which was relative, not absolute. He followed the concept of sulh-i-kul (for the general good of all people) which built on his liberal views of religion.

Complete answer:
The political condition during Akbar’s rule often cause tension among the three majors religion namely Hindu, Islam and Jain. Akbar tried to calm down the tension and drive the society into peace and harmony with the help of his Sulh-e Kul, policy.

Akbar was deeply influenced by the principles of his Hindu mother, his guardian and tutor Bairam Khan and Abdul Latif respectively. He was deeply motivated with the policy of reuniting and liberalism in religious matters. Akbar established Sulh- i-kul as his method of judging what was legally right or wrong within his empire and was created because Akbar understood that he was trying to build political institutions for predominately non-Muslim society.

The main features of Sulh-i-kul are:
Freedom of expression.
There will br no discrimination on the basis of religion and race as all humans are equal.
Focus on universal peace.
Secular form of government.
Religious tolerance.

Sulh-i kul is an Arabic originated term. It is a “concept of societal friendship and harmony,” or in simple terms “peace with all,”. It is drawn from a Sufi mystic principle.


Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Abul Fazal, who was one of the nine gems of Akbar's court helped him a lot in framing visions and application of this idea of SULH-I-KUL . This policy of governance was also followed by Jahangir and later Shah Jahan as well.